Chapter VII · Chapter 7

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

speak to

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

later than; following

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

anew

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

a stick that people can lean on to help them walk

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

a person who is in charge

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

an attendant at the court of a sovereign

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

plural of “courtier” — an attendant at the court of a sovereign

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

plural of “dagger” — a short knife with a pointed blade used for piercing or stabbing

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

plural of “gem” — art highly prized for its beauty or perfection

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.

plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

coins made of gold

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

plural of “hilt” — the handle of a sword or dagger

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

located inward

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

completely unclothed

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

not one, and not any

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

past form of “ornament” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

above and across; more than

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

a human being

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

as yourself

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

plural of “petition” — a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

a prince or king in India

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

recurring again and again

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

not in physical motion

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

a man who courts a woman

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

plural of “suitor” — a man who courts a woman

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The Rajah, as the gifts of the Spaniards were presented to him, bowed slightly, and returned others of brocade and cloth of gold and silver.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

plural of “waist” — the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

during the time that

From this reading While in his presence the explorers observed the way in which suitors made their petitions, none being allowed to address him personally.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

which person or people

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The suitor, having arrived at an outer chamber, presented his petition to a courtier, who repeated it to one of higher rank, and he again passed it on to a person of still greater importance, who then whispered it through a hollow cane fixed in the wall, reaching the inner chamber, into the ear of the chief officer of state, by whom it was conveyed to the Rajah himself.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As the courtiers--who were naked, with the exception of a piece of ornamented cloth round their waists--approached, they raised their hands, clasped, three times over their heads; then, lifting up their feet one after the other, they kissed their hands before speaking.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading They wore numerous rings on their fingers, and daggers with gold hilts set with gems.